You’ve wandered into the topsy-turvy world of Tulgey Wood, the blog of writer and historian Jim Fanning. Tulgey Wood celebrates artistry and creativity (and sometimes just plain madness): movies, animation, TV, books, comics—and of course Disney, lots and lots of true-blue, through-and-through Disney, including D23 and Disney twenty-three Magazine, and Sketches Magazine and the Walt Disney Collectors Society. Tulgey Wood is so fun, fascinating and full of frolicsome photos and facts, it’s scary. So wander through the wonder of it all, and enjoy.

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

A lot of games are played on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, but nothing has been more fun that the show's recreation of the classic TV game show Password. Included is a spot-on reconstruction of the show's set, and Jimmy and friends play the game just as it was in the 1960s. The theme music is the same and even the introductory ritual—each celebrity introduces his or her playing partner (chosen from the studio audience), with the second star then saying, "...and we're all here to play... Password!" Then the game's title is superimposed over a shot of the audience applauding. I assume Password was brought aboard the Fallon show because of the appearance of Betty White. In a previous guest shot Betty played Beer Pong with Jimmy, but how long could fan-of-classic-TV-and-show-biz-and-games Fallon resist playing Password with Password maven White right there in the studio? Not long, as tonight's show proved. Betty was as sharp as a tack, as always, but I have to say it was a thrill to see Jimmy (no slouch himself at any game) guess "Facebook" on the first clue, "like." Betty White's Password connection goes beyond her expert playing or her many appearances on the show, of course. Betty married host Allen Ludden in 1963 and they remained together until his death in 1981. In fact, in a touching moment, White told Fallon that her appearance on his version of Password marked what would have been her and Ludden's 48th wedding anniversary (The show was taped on June 14 for broadcast today at 12:37 am June 15)

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Tonight, after many delays and, famously, injuries (as immortalized by the January 17, 2011 New Yorker cover at right by Barry Blitts) the multi-million dollar musical Spider-Man, Turn Off the Dark at long last opened on Broadway. In honor of the show's opening Broadway.com today posted an excellent timeline that untangles the tangled web of creative personnel turnovers, escalating budgets, closings and previews, right through Sunday's Tony Awards and tonight's opening. Although I haven't seen this production, the obviously talented Reeve Carney isn't my idea of Peter Parker, though I feel the same way about Andrew Garfield, who is Spidey in the forthcoming new film—though I wouldn't be surprised to be proven wrong when (and if, in the case of the Broadway show) I see these actors in action in the role. (Disney fans, you do know that Disney paid $4 billion to buy...oh never mind, you all know that by now.)

Thursday, June 9, 2011

Now that it's actually Donald's birthday (his 77th), here's a classic Carl Barks cover from Walt Disney's Comics and Stories (#153 June 1953, which was the month of the Duck's 19th birthday) that's centered on cake if not specifically birthday cake. Speaking of covers (and Donald and birthdays), did you read my Donald Duck cover story in Disney twenty-three magazine? It was published in the Summer 2009 issue to commemorate Donald's 75th. If not, you can get a back copy of that ducky issue at DisneyStore.com.

Fairy Tale Blogathon 2014

Coming Soon To Tulgey Wood

Watch for Sleeping Beauty, Third Man on the Mountain, Charlie Brown, more Hallmark Hall of Fame, Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color, and one or two surprises here and there along the way through Tulgey Wood.

Some Online Articles Written By Jim Fanning

About Me

An author, historian, editor, researcher and blogger, Jim Fanning specializes in Disney. In a career dedicated to celebrating and exploring the work and life of Walt Disney, as well as his collaborators and those who carry on his legacy, Jim has recounted the history of many areas of the wide world of Disney. A contributor to Disney twenty-three Magazine and the D23 website, Jim has written books, articles, comics and a variety of other works, in addition to officially commissioned projects for many departments of The Walt Disney Company, including Publishing, Home Entertainment and Walt Disney Imagineering, as well as lending his expertise to many Disney licensees, including The Walt Disney Classics Collection (including Sketches Magazine), Technicolor, Dixie, NBC and Mattel. He also wrote many episodes of the groundbreaking documentary TV series, Disney Family Album, and has contributed writing and research to the Walt Disney Family Museum. Jim's philosophy is historical accuracy, dedication to uncovering new and little-known behind-the scenes stories, and lively and engaging storytelling that illuminates authentic Disney "magic."